2nd North East Multimedia Campaign on Dec 18; Min appeals youth to participate

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 10 : Declaring that the 2nd North East Multimedia Campaign 2019-20 will be held on December 18 at BOAT, Health Minister L Jayantakumar has appealed all the youth of the State to take part in the campaign.
Speaking to media persons at his quarter in Babupara today, the Minister informed that the North East States have been organising the Multimedia Campaign in collaboration with National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) since 2009.
He added that the Campaign aims to encourage awareness, compassion, education and support for the issue HIV and AIDS in the region and to capitalize on the popularity of locally popular entertainment channels among youth (between the age group of 15 to 29 years) like music and sports, especially football.
The objectives of the Campaign includes to enhance risk perception and promote of safe behaviour, to address issues around the stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS, to motivate different population groups to seek services (ICTC, STI and Care & support services), to highlight the importance of blood safety and increase awareness on the availability of ART and normalising of condoms.
Jayantakumar continued that the 1st North East Multimedia Campaign was organised on February 18 at Nagaland where all the Sates of the North East attended.
As the North East States are famous and well known for  its cultures and other aspects like sports and music, the previous Multimedia Campaign was focused on campaigning through musical platform for the cause of HIV/AIDS, in which the State's band, The Wishes received first prize with a cash of Rs 1 lakh.
Musical band, Innocent Eyes will be representing Manipur on the 2nd Multimedia campaign, added the Minister.
For successful organisation of the event, a core committee was formed under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary (Health & Family Welfare) GoM and MACS president.
The committee comprise of Director, Health Services Manipur, Director (YAS), Director Edn (U), Director Edn (S), Director SCERT, Zonal Director, NYKS State Liaison Officer among others.
Principal Secretary Vumlunmang and MACS officials were also present at the press meet.